Aum Sri Sai Ram Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations Trichy District Annual Report 1st April 2018 to st 31 March 2019 This report is dedicated at the Lotus Feet of our Lord and Master Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Foreword from the District President Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations run on the divine guidelines of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Its rules emphasizes that members must first practice what they stand for. This is the uniqueness of this Organisation. Only when man becomes better can the world be bettered. Only when the individual becomes good can society be happy. The mind of man has to be reformed. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has emphasized that proper study of mankind is Man. His principles are based on five concrete pillars i.e Sathya, Dharma, Prema, Shanthi and Ahimsa. He regarded human beings as the supreme creation of God and that the human values are the essence of human being and each one should have opportunity not only to realize this inherent divinity but also the blossoming of human excellence. Bhagavan’s mission is fulfilled only through His own divine will. He is the one who plans, executes and succeeds at everything. The binding force of all the activities performed is pure Love which is based on the dictum and powerful mantra of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba – “Love All, Serve All”. He is the divine power that expresses itself through each of us. It is His divine energy and guidance that plays out as each of us trying to perform our duty as an offering to Him. SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS – AN INTRODUCTION The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, founded by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the year 1965, is a service organisation with a spiritual core and base to benefit all mankind irrespective of religion, caste, creed or sect. The Organisation serves as a platform for its members to undertake service and other activities motivated by an urge for one's own transformation with the aim of realising one's inherent divinity. Without any distinction of religion, nationality, race, socio- economic status, either for those who work in the Organisation or for those who are served by it, the Organisation transcends all barriers leading humanity towards the ideal of 'Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man'. The concept of fees or membership subscription is alien to the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, for there cannot be any fee or subscription for one's journey towards his own self. The organisation functions through its primary units called as Samithis and Bhajan Mandalis of which individuals - from different strata of society, different ethnic groups pursuing different religions and faiths -are members bound by the dictum of “Love all, Serve All” and pursue their own sadhana towards self- transformation following the path of selfless service to humanity. At no point is an individual asked to follow a certain religion or rituals. On the contrary each is inspired to follow his own faith so as to ensure that a Hindi becomes a better Hindu, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim, a Christian becomes a better Christian and so on. In fact, this spiritual basis inspires everyone to pursue his own religion better by putting into practice Love and Selflessness. That is why the Organisation features in its emblem the symbols of the major religions of the world. “ The Organisations named after Me are not to be used for publicizing My Name, or creating a new cult around My worship….They must render Seva (service) to the helpless, the sick, the distressed, the illiterate and the needy. Their seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients. Seva is sadhana (spiritual exercise), not a pastime of the rich and well placed. You must have the firm belief that the aim of this Organisation is to remove the obstacles that keep man away from God, that separate maanavathwa (Humanity) from Maadhavathwa (Divinity).. This Organisation must elevate the human into the Divine.” Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba WINGS OF THE ORGANISATION Spirituality and Service are supplementary The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation and complementary to each other. Spirituality is functions under three wings viz. (i) Spiritual, (ii) the motivational force behind service and service Education, and (iii) Service. is the fulfillment of spirituality. Therefore, Each activity in a wing is directed to facilitate spiritual concepts learnt through education must be and help the member in his own spiritual put into practice in form of service to humanity. advancement. Although, the nature of activities Thus, in order to successfully realise the objective undertaken under different wings appear to be of joining the Sai Organisation, one must distinct and dissimilar, but there is an inherent participate in activities of all the three wings. interrelationship amongst all the three wings. The three wings stand for Worship, Wisdom and Work. Activities under different wings of the Organisation Spiritual Wing Educational Wing Service Wing • Bhajan • Non-formal education of • Gram Seva • Nagarsankeertan children in the age group of • Slums Service, 5-14 years through values- • Study Circle • Medical Camps and based educational training, • Sadhana Camps Health Care • Bal-Vikas • Study of Sai Literature • Sanitation activities • Educare • Meditation, and • Visit to orphanges, old age • Pareting Programmes • Others homes etc. • Disaster relief • Poor feeding • Free Coaching Classes, and • Others ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORGANISATION as one cohesive unit, whether as sevadals Headed by an All India President who is providing service at Prashanthi Nilayam, at supported by the National Vice Presidents and medical camps, doing Narayan seva or the bal- State Presidents, the Organisation functions vikas gurus who work with young children to like a well- oiled machine in the District under inspire in them a desire to inculcate the five the stewardship of the District President, human values of Truth, focused on its purpose, clear in its vision and Righteousness, Love, Peace and Non- dedicated in its efforts to live up the Swami’s violence, or the teachers who having undergone message – “Love All, Serve All”. the training in EHV help in guiding the young The Samithis and the Bhajan Mandalis minds towards the higher goals of life or the Sai constitute a genuine spiritual movement where Youth who work tirelessly in the Sri Sathya Sai the members are united by a common bond – Village Integrated Programme and Sri Sathya Sai Love for God and Service to fellow human Vidya Jyoti Programme – each of them are bound beings. The members of the organisation work by one goal – “Service to Man is Service to God”. THE 9 POINT CODE OF CONDUCT AND 10 PRINCIPLES Every member of the Organisation is expected to undertake Sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of his/her daily life by abiding by the following Nine Point Code of Conduct which has been bestowed by Baba for one’s spiritual and personal development. In addition, the ten principles that forms the core of guidance for all the members of the Organisation as ordained by Baba himself are also produced hereunder. The nine point code of conduct and the ten principles are fundamental to the spiritual development of the members of the Sai Organisations. Daily meditation and prayer. Treat as sacred the land in which you were born. Have Devotional singing/prayer with members of patriotism to your nation - but do not criticise other nations or family once a week. put others down. Not even in your thoughts or dreams should Participation in Bal Vikas programme by children you think of bringing grief to your country. of family conducted by the Organisation. Respect all religions equally. Attendance at least once a month at Bhajan or Nagar Recognise humanity as one family – treat everyone Sankeertan programme conducted by the Organisation. as a family member - love all Participation in community service and other Keep your house and surroundings clean for this will programmes of the Organisation. promote hygiene and health. Regular study of Sai literature. Practice charity - but do not encourage beggars by giving money. Provide food, clothing, shelter and help them on other Speak softly and lovingly with everyone with whom one ways (do not encourage laziness) comes into contact Never give a bribe or take bribe - never give in to corruption. Not to indulge in talking ill of others especially in their absence Curb envy and jealously; expand your vision and outlook, Treat all equally regardless of caste or creed. Putting into practice the principle of “Ceiling on Desires” and Be self-reliant. You may be wealthy and have servants to do utilise any savings thereby generated for the service of your bidding, but service to security must be done by the mankind. yourself. Have and cultivate 'Love for God and fear of Sin’ Never go against the laws of the land; follow these diligently both in word and in spirit. Be an exemplary citizen. SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATION - TRICHY BRIEF HISTORY Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Trichy was initially started in Tamil Sangam Building, Main Guard Gate in the name of “Sri Sathya Sai Baktha Sabha” in the year 1962. The first president was Sri. Nataraja Iyer and the Secretary was Sri. Govindarajan. Initially a Bhajana Mandali was started at Thillai Nagar headed by Clarinet Vidwan, Sri. A.K.C Natarajan. The Tiruvanaikoil Bhajana Mandali was headed by Sri. Thatha Pillai and Sri.Thangavelu Pillai. The Kallukuzhi Bhajana Mandali was headed by Sri. T.P.Kailasam and Parthasarathy. The Golden Rock Bhajana Mandali was headed by Sri. T.V. Bakthavathsalam and Sri Venkataraman. Later on many Bhajana Mandalis were started all around Trichy District which went upto 24 during Swami’s visit to Trichy in the year 1966.